Element holder or storage case

ABSTRACT

An impact resistant element holder or storage case for glass bottles, ceramic parts and the like frangible elements comprising a body member preferably of molded or compressed plastic material or light expanded metal material shaped to define a plurality of receiving spaces or recesses extending inwardly and downwardly relative the longitudinal line of the body member the receiving spaces or recesses having at least one element receiving opening on at least one face of the body member and a vent and cleanout opening communicating with the receiving space or recess to permit air to escape from the receiving space when an element is placed therein and washing fluid to pass through said receiving space when it is flushed for cleaning purposes. Additionally, each receiving space or recess is provided with a drain means at substantially the lowermost end to permit fluid to drain to and be collected at the lower portion of the body member. The body member is further adapted to receive a handle to render the element holder or storage case portable. Additionally, the receiving space is provided with a stop means at the inner most end for cushioning the impact of the element and the inner wall of the receiving space is designed to snugly engage the element placed in said receiving space. Additionally, the body member is so constructed and arranged that it can be stacked easily into a plurality of units for compact storage and ease in carting upon a truck or other conveyor. The device also includes in combination a bottle opener formed at a convenient point thereon the body being adapted to collect bottle caps from the bottle opener in the position placed on the body member.

States John V. Wilkich 136 Forest St., Kearny, NJ. 07032 [21] Appl. No. 867,782

[22] Filed Oct. 20, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] ELEMENT HOLDER 0R STORAGE CASE 4 Claims, 17 Drawing lFigs.

Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance Att0rneyPopper, Bain and Bobis ABSTRACT: An impact resistant element holder or storage case for glass bottles, ceramic parts and the like frangible ele- 1 aims ments comprising a body member preferably of molded or compressed plastic material or light expanded metal material shaped to define a plurality of receiving spaces or recesses extending inwardly and downwardly relative the longitudinal line of the body member the receiving spaces or recesses having at least one element receiving opening on at least one face of the body member and a vent and cleanout opening communicating with the receiving space or recess to permit air to escape from the receiving space when an element is placed therein and washing fluid to pass through said receiving space when it is flushed for cleaning purposes. Additionally, each receiving space or recess is provided with a drain means at substantially the lowermost end to permit fluid to drain to and be collected at the lower portion of the body member. The body member is further adapted to receive a handle to render the element holder or storage case portable.

Additionally, the receiving space is provided with a stop means at the inner most end for cushioning the impact of the element and the inner wall of the receiving space is designed to snugly engage the element placed in said receiving space.

Additionally, the body member is so constructed and arranged that it can be stacked easily into a plurality of units for compact storage and ease in carting upon a truck or other conveyor.

The device also includes in combination a bottle opener formed at a convenient point thereon the body being adapted to collect bottle caps from the bottle opener in the position placed on the body member.

PATENTEUUETIZIHH $612,336

JOHN V. WILKICH Fl (5 8 INVENTOR.

PATENTED mm 1 2 I971 SHEET 2 OF 2 JOHN V WILKICH INVENTOR.

WW, +5 64 1 M lElLlEhllllhl'il lllltlllLDlElll on Ei'ltlllllAGlE CASlE BACKGROUND OF THE lbll/ENTIUN Various types of element carriers such as the cardboard carton type for soda and other beverages are will lrnown in the art. Certain plastic materials have been adapted as shipping containers such as is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,241 ,66 l.

in the prior art wooden cases are used which when stacked on each other injure the elements particularly in the case of capped bottles where stacking of the wooden bottle holders damages the bottle caps and chips the rims of empty bottles.

Further, when the element has fluid therein and is stacked in the conventional vertical position the fluid does not drain from the element.

The present invention is designed to provide an improved portable element holder particularly adapted for easy and safe stacking.

Further, the present invention provides element receiving spaces which are spaced in predetermined intervals and slanted in a direction transverse and downwardly or at an acute angle with respect to the vertical longitudinal line of the element holder in accordance with the present invention. This is done to minimize wobbling action during transport of the element holder and to protect capped type bottles stacking engagenient being endwise and remote from the openings for the element receiving spaces of the present device.

The transverse slanted element receiving spaces also permit easy drainage of washing fluid through respective vent and cleaning openings which are provided and drainage part permit empty units or bottled placed neck first into the element receiving space to drain t'luid therefrom.

in addition, when made of compressed or molded plastic or light metal material the element holder in accordance with the present invention will weight less than conventional prior art devices now being used for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON Thus, the present invention covers an element holder comprising a body member of a compressed or molded plastic or light metal material having a plurality of receiving spaces which eirtend downwardly and transversely of the longitudinal line of the body member, the receiving spaces opening on one side face of the body member and having a vent and cleaning means on the side face remote from the receiving space openings, nd the ends of aid body member having means thereon to permit said members to be stacked for compact storage.

Additionally, the present invention covers the element holder above identified having suitable drain means for a plurality of said receiving spaces.

Additionally, the present invention covers the element holder above identified having in combination therewith a bottle cap remover means and means for collecting the caps removed from the opened bottles.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an element holder particularly adapted for carrying bottles or other frangible elements.

it is another object of the present invention to provide an element holder which is portable. and adapted for compact storage.

it is another object of the present invention to provide an element holder which can be easily cleaned by permitting washing fluid to pass in through and out of the element receiving spaces in the element holder.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide an element holder in combination with a bottle cap removing means and the combination may be further adapted to collect caps removed trom bottles.

These and objects of the present invention will become fully apparent by reference to the appendix and as the following FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an element holder or storage compartment in accordance with the present invention.

FlG. 2 is a front elevation of the form of the invention shown in H6. ll.

FlG. It is a side elevation of the form of the invention shown in lFlG. l.

Flt]. is a baclt view of the form of the invention shown in FlG. ll.

Fit}. 5 is a top view of the form of the invention shown in Flt l.

FlG. d is a bottom view of the form of the invention shown in H6. ll.

H6. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

MG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line dd of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken on line EL-9 of Fit]. 3.

FlG. till is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lower end of a receiving space as shown in FIG. ll of the drawings showing the excess liquid drain means of the present invention.

FIG. ill is an enlarged partial section of the invention as shown in H6. ll showing bottle elements and illustrating the driplet collecting mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. l2 is a cross-sectional view of one of the receiving spaces showing a modified form of the invention having an insert sleeve to provide snug fitting of an element placed in the space.

lFlG. llfl is a cross section taken on line ll3ll3 of H6. 112.

Flt}. lid is a perspective view of a modified form of the element holder or storage compartment in accordance with the present invention to provide means for interlocking units when stacking the cases.

lFlG. i5 is a view of a plurality of element holders in accordance with the modified form of the invention shown in H6. M showing the stacking arrangement.

Flt]. lid is a fragmentary upper front view of an element holder or storage compartment in accordance with the present invention showing a bottle opening means incorporated thereon.

HG. ii? is a fragmented vertical sectional view taken on line ll7-l'7 ofFlG. to.

Referring to the drawings an element holder or storage compartment is illustrated in lFlGfl. l through ll as including a body member ltl which is substantially rectangular in vertical cross section and side elevation and as shown in FIGS. l to b has a top ill, from side l2, left side l3, right side l4, back or rear side 1155 and a bottom lb.

The body member ill is preferably a molded member made from a lightweight impact absorbing material such as a molded or compressed plastic material or an expanded metal material which may or may not be resilient depending on the specific application for which the element holder or storage compartmom will be used, since numerous suitable plastic materials, expanded metal materials and powdered metal materials and the manner of molding the same are well known to those familiar with the art it will be unnecessary herein to describe the details of either the material or the molding procedures which are used in connection with such materials. However, to illustrate the materials applicant believes that ANB (acrylonitril butadiene) plastics, polyethylene, polystyrene, compressed styrene pellets; welded sheets of polyethylene, fiberglass materials, urethane, and other foamed plastics, expanded metal, light metals such as aluminum and wood such as welded sheets of plywood are adapted for this purpose.

While plastic materials, expanded metal materials or powdered metal materials are referred to above as preferred materials it is believed those skilled in the art will readily understand that like materials could be utilized for the purposes of the present invention.

The body member lltl illustrated in the drawings therefor is preferably molded, formed, shaped or cut to provide a plurality of element receiving spaces, recesses or compartments as at Zlla, illtlb, Mic, and 2M, etc. which spaces recesses or compartments may be shaped or adapted to receive any type or any shaped element as may be desired. The space receiving elements or compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, and 200., etc. are shaped to receive bottle elements in the form of the invention as illustrated.

The receiving spaces 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, etc. are shown respectively with openings as at 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, etc. respectively, at one end which in the form of the invention illustrated all open on the front face 12 of the body member 10. It will be understood that the space receiving openings or compartments can open on more than one face of the body member by suitable rearrangement of the space receiving members so that they do not interfere with each other.

By reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings the space receiving openings or compartments 20a, 20b, 2%, and 20d, etc. are shown as extending inwardly and downwardly with respect to the longitudinal line of the body member to a depth which is determined by the type of element to be inserted into the element holder or storage compartment.

As is described hereinafter, the inner wall of each respective compartment or of several compartments can be made with a liner having a diameter slightly large or slightly smaller diameter than the element to be placed in the receiving spaces or compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, etc. depending on the required use. When slightly smaller elements are placed therein they will have an interference fit with the liners on the inner walls of the space receiving compartments and be prevented from jarring loose or rattling around in the element holder.

At the end of each respective receiving space or compartments 26a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, etc. there is provided an opening as at 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d, etc. remote from the respective openings 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, etc. on the front side 12 of the body member so that when an element is inserted such as a bottle air can escape from the receiving spaces or altematively the opening can be utilized as a flow passage when washing the receiving spaces clean of impurities or sediment that may have collected therein.

Further, with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, l and 11 it will be noted that the receiving spaces 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, etc. are each provided with a bottom or shoulder as at 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, etc. and a stop element or spacer means 24a, Mb, 2 80, and 24d, etc. which is attached to each of the respective bottoms or shoulders 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, etc. The stops or spacers 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d, etc. are of resilient material and will act to cushion the mouth or neck of a bottle or other frangible element that is placed in the receiving spaces 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, etc.

Additionally, it will be noted that each of the receiving spaces is provided at the lowermost end thereof with drain means as at 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d, etc. which serves to collect liquids or other fluids which may collect in a receiving space and permits such fluids to be drained to the lowermost receiving space in the body member 10. This elimination of residuous fluid serves for easier washing of the element receiving spaces 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, etc.

FEGS. H, 5, 7, 8 and 9 shown that the top 111 of the body member i0 is formed, shaped, cut or designed with a chamber 36 of sufficient depth to permit a handle member SE to be inserted transversely of the chamber 30 which handle is affixed in the walls of the body member by any suitable means such as the pins 32 and 33.

The handle means 31 renders the element holder or storage compartment portable.

In the form of the invention illustrated the body member is formed more or less in the conventional sizes of element holders or bottle carriers and the receiving spaces or compartments 26a, b, 20c, and 20d, etc. are spaced for maximum utility of the body member.

FIG. 111 shows that when the element holder is used as a storage compartment for bottles that used bottles can be placed in inverted form into the receiving spaces and because of the drainage means as at 26a, 26b, and 26c, the fluid dripping from the bottles or extra fluid that may collect in the receiving space will be drained to the lowermost compartment and can be easily washed out of the body member 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a modified form of the invention where the body member is made for example of a nonresilient material and it is desired to either cushion or to snugly engage elements that are placed in the receiving spaces or compartments then a resilient annular liner is provided as at 40 which liner can be affixed to the inner wall 41 of the respective receiving space.

In this illustrated form of the invention shown in FIG. 12 a small annular liner 40 is disposed a spaced distance from the end of the receiving space and when the element is inserted into the receiving space it will engage the outer wall of the element and hold the same in assembled position. It will be understood that where necessary or desirable that the liner can extend the full length of the element receiving space.

FIG. 13 shows that the liner 40 snugly engages the inner wall 41 of the receiving space and can be made of any type of resilient material such as an elastomeric member or an expanded plastic foam or like material which are well known in the art.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 and I3 is otherwise identical to that above described from FIGS. 1 to 11 of the drawings.

In FIGS. 14 and 15 a modified form of the body member is shown in which the upper and lower ends of the body member are provided with projections as at 5011' and 50b and notches as at 51 so that when the body members are stacked one on top of the other as shown in FIG. 15 they will engage and hold each other in the stacked position. This makes for compact and safe storage particularly where frangible elements are being stored in the body members.

In FIGS. 16 and 17 a further modified form of the invention is shown wherein the body member 10' is coupled with a cap removing mechanism for example as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 117 a cap removing mechanism or bottle opener generally designated 60.

The cap removing mechanism or the bottle opener consists of a sheet metal mechanism which is bent into suitable form to provide an overhanging lip 61 and a shoulder 62. The cap removing mechanism or bottle opener 60 is mounted in the recess 63 and is fastened to the element holder as by threaded means 64 and 65.

In the form of the invention illustrated at FIG. 16 and 17 the bottle opener is illustrated as connected and as supporting one end of a handle element 31' which extends transversely of the compartment 30' formed in the top 11 of the body member 10 and as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 when a capped bottle 66 is inserted into the recess to be opened by placing it into the illustrated bottle opener in a conventional manner the cap 67 will drop through an opening 68 and be collected in the compartment 30' so that the collected caps can be disposed of properly in due course.

Thus, an element holder or storage member has been described which is adaptable for transporting elements which protects the elements against damage which provides means for compactly storing such elements and means for cleaning the element holder to adapt it for reuse.

Iclaim:

l. A reusable element holder comprising:

a. a body member of a material having shock absorbent qualities;

b. a plurality of receiving spaces formed in said body member each having an element receiving opening on at least one side face;

c. said receiving spaces disposed to extend inwardly and downwardly relative the longitudinal line of said body member from said side face of the body member; and

d. vent and cleaning means for each of the receiving spaces remote from the element receiving opening to permit air or fluid to escape from each of said receiving spaces;

e. and a resilient stop a predetermined distance from the element receiving opening to regulate the depth of the b. resilient element engagement means connected to said inner wall to firmly engage elements placed in any of said receiving spaces.

4. In a reusable element holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said resilient means comprises an annular liner element affixed at least along a portion of the inner wall of any of the receiving spaces. 

1. A reusable element holder comprising: a. a body member of a material having shock absorbent qualities; b. a plurality of receiving spaces formed in said body member each having an element receiving opening on at least one side face; c. said receiving spaces disposed to extend inwardly and downwardly relative the longitudinal line of said body member from said side face of the body member; and d. vent and cleaning means for each of the receiving spaces remote from the element receiving opening to permit air or fluid to escape from each of said receiving spaces; e. and a resilient stop a predetermined distance from the element receiving opening to regulate the depth of the receiving space for elements and to cushion the elements set in the receiving spaces.
 2. In a reusable element holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drain means for each of said receiving spaces are disposed to permit drainage from each of the receiving spaces to the lower most receiving space of said bottle holder.
 3. In a reusable element holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein: a. the receiving spaces each have an inner wall; and b. resilient element engagement means connected to said inner wall to firmly engage elements placed in any of said receiving spaces.
 4. In a reusable element holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein said resilient means comprises an annular liner element affixed at least along a portion of the inner wall of any of the receiving spaces. 